As much as I love the holidays at Disney, the sad fact is that I won’t be able to enjoy it in the parks this year, and truth be told, the majority of us at home won’t be there for the actual holidays either. So, this week, I wanted to bring some of that Disney spirit home and see how we can add a bit of pixie dust to our personal celebrations.
Let’s look at ways to keep the family busy as school comes to an end and have some fun as the season sets in.
Get Crafty
If your family is like mine, the COVID lockdowns and learning-from-home school programs have led to a steep increase in screen time. I’m always on the lookout for new ideas to keep the kids busy without always staring at a device. Check out some of these really cool craft ideas from Disney. Don’t worry; they aren’t all geared towards little ones with scissors and paste; many of them require the skill set of older kids and adults.
Make some paper Disney ornaments.
Create some paper ornaments for your tree or start a new, smaller one just for these Disney creations. Click on the images above and below to visit Disney Parks Blog, where you can find templates and instructions for each.
Create your own Disney-style wreath.
You can never have too many wreaths around the house. If you don’t have a spare bare wreath itself, you might be able to find some greenery outside that can be used to create something fresh and special that will smell fantastic as well. Use ribbon and craft supplies to custom make new ones in different themes to suit your style. Click the image below to see a Tiana-themed example.
Create new ornaments.
Do you know all of those clothes that your children grow out of by the second? Dig into that stash and start creating your own ornaments or gifts using some of the templates and ideas in the link attached to the image below.
Get crafty with your gifting.
Add a personal touch to your gifts and wrapping with some of these fantastic tags and gifting ideas from Disney Parks Blog. Click the link below to see a few ways you can add some extra special touches to your gifts.
Create Your Atmosphere
Harsh lighting and the sounds of children arguing never make the season feel bright. String up some of those leftover lights around the house, light your scented candles and turn down those bright lights to add warmth and atmosphere to your home.
Sometimes I find the same old Christmas carols to be a bit repetitive over the course of a week or two, so I like to break them up with something a bit more subtle, like soft piano holiday music. Look for the Christmas Peaceful Piano playlist on Spotify or find your own on another service. Moving between the softer tones and more dynamic carols helps me feel calm and relaxed in between gatherings. I also like to plug in my old Google Mini devices in the bathrooms and run these playlists in there at a low volume to keep guests company when freshening up.
Start Your Movie Marathon
A few years ago, I found it really frustrating when all of my favorite Christmas classic movies were split between four or five different streaming services. This year, I’ve noticed that Disney+ has made some huge changes to their lineup and now seems to have everything I want to see all in one place. The problem I find now is not having time to fit them all in.
I have added a movie schedule to my December calendar to avoid missing out, mapping out time to fit in my holiday must-watch movies before Christmas sneaks up on us in ten days. Check out Disney+ and let me know if your favorite movie is there.
Cook Up a Holiday Treat Feast
The holidays go hand in hand with homemade goodies like Gingerbread houses and cookies in my house. It’s not just the time spent laughing and bonding while you bake that makes it special, but also the smells that fill the house and, of course, the tasty treats you have at the end.
I’ve found some Disney-approved recipes for you to try out at home, some of which can double as gifts for family and friends.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Gingerbread Cookies
Crema Catalana
Peppermint Marshmallow Wands
Let me know what you’ve tried and how they turned out. To create different options, don’t forget to add your own spices and flavors like vanilla and cinnamon or peppermint.
Snuggle Up for a Story
Sometimes at the last minute, you can’t find the storybook you wanted to read at bedtime. Never fear, Disney have you covered with this free version of Olaf’s Night Before Christmas linked below. Just click the image and select your platform to download and enjoy.
Whip Up Some Drinks
Cool drinks are perfect for Christmas here in Australia as in the Southern Hemisphere we spend our holidays and in the warmth of summer. I love some of these beverage ideas below from Disney Cruise Line. Though they aren’t strictly holiday-themed, they add a bit of charm to your average drink, and you might find that one would be great to make in larger quantities and serve at your upcoming holiday parties or family gatherings.
I hope some of those ideas bring some of the magic of Disney home for the holidays in your house the way they do in mine. Stay safe and be kind to each other in the rush over the next ten days.
Happy Holidays!